 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Top Gun
- Review Date: October 24, 2006
- PG
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 1986
Common Sense Media says
Tom Cruise classic still revs engines.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this blockbuster thriller is chock-full of narrow escapes, chases, and battles -- just what teens love to see. But parents beware: This film shows some violent deaths, chiefly the death of a main character, which make it too violent for most tweens. Teens will love the cool ambiance and the exhilarating action sequences. There's one graphic-for-its-time sex scene, though no nudity, and in one iconic scene there are quite a few naked male torsos on a beach volleyball court. Winning is the most important thing to all the pilots, who try to intimidate one another with plenty of posturing and banter. While sexism is quite noticeable, two strong female characters help keep some of the objectification in check.
What's the story?
TOP GUN centers around Maverick (Tom Cruise), a troubled, cocky fighter pilot who's one of the best in the country. When another pilot loses his confidence in a standoff with an enemy MiG, Maverick and his buddy Goose (Anthony Edwards) get the chance of a lifetime -- to attend the Top Gun Naval Flying School in Miramar, Calif. There, Maverick meets and tries to woo Charlie (Kelly McGillis), beat his rival Iceman (Val Kilmer) at the flying tests, and come to terms with the mysterious death of his father, a naval fighter pilot whose death details have been kept confidential. But can Maverick temper his loose-canon ways to win the competition and the girl and cope with the death of a dear friend?
Is it any good?
Made at the peak of Tom Cruise's career in the 1980s, Top Gun brings it all back. Here, Cruise really is a star in the best sense of the word, and the film is so well directed and acted that you forget his celebrity. For all the serious drama in this film, Top Gun is also heavy on the explosions, charisma, and a plethora of gleaming, naked male torsos. Adults of a certain age will remember how this film spawned a fashion movement of aviator glasses and bomber jackets and what a huge star Cruise legitimately was.
More than The Color of Money or the Mission: Impossible franchise, Top Gun is the film in which Cruise proved that he could play more than an arrogant jerk with a killer smile. Cruise imbues Maverick with so much warmth and depth that you can't help rooting for him.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether they believe the moral of the story: "There are no points for second place." Is winning all that matters? What would you jeopardize to win? Do you think it was right for Charlie to pursue a romantic relationship with Maverick?
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AGE
Awesome movie!
This movie is absolutely incredible. Great theme song and anthem. IT also shows the characters feelings very well. Some violence and mild cussing, but nothing major.
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AGE
One of My Favorite Movies...
I realize that many people don't like this movie. That's fine, but it is still great to me. I've even heard people say it's everything that was bad about the eighties. Don't be fooled. With it's rock and roll, aerial combat, and the underlying message about competitiveness, it shows me what's cool about the 80's.
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AGE
good movie
good movie but has some inappropriate sex and it was not needed in the movie there was also some profanity
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AGE
Classic Tom Cruise Movie
I absolutely love this movie! It has a sex scene that is not too graphic, other than that there is not much else. It does involve planes shooting missles ateach other. There are a couple of scenes taken place at bars where adults drink.
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AGE
Blasphemous Words are in this Movie
This Movie takes God's Name in Vain and that is bad enough for me.
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AGE
Violent but good.
This movie has some mild violence.Does that mean it blows? No.Is it bad for kids? Yes.I'm 23 so I can watch it.Its REALLY funny!
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| Topics: | adventures |
| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Tony Scott |
| Cast: | Kelly McGillis, Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 109 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 24, 1986 |
| DVD release date: | December 14, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | thematic intensity and mild sexuality and peril. |
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